Pep Guardiola has revealed that Erling Haaland never asked to be excused from Manchester City’s match against Brentford, despite facing the emotional toll of losing a close family friend. The decision to play was entirely in Haaland’s hands, with Guardiola ready to grant him time off if requested. Yet, Haaland chose to play and delivered a stellar performance, scoring twice to lead City to a 2-1 comeback victory.
Guardiola acknowledged the personal strength it takes to push through emotional hardships while still performing at the highest level. “Sometimes, you have to be strong, even if just for 90 minutes, and momentarily set aside your personal life,” Guardiola remarked post-match. “When life throws a punch, sometimes it’s better to just play.”
In a candid reflection on the events leading up to Haaland’s inclusion, Guardiola said the process was straightforward. “[We made the decision] yesterday. He was in the lineup. It’s been tough for his family; it’s tough for anyone in that situation,” Guardiola shared. “He came back the other day, feeling a bit down in the locker room. We try to support each other here, stay close when someone is going through something difficult.”
Guardiola noticed a shift in Haaland’s demeanor leading up to the game. “Yesterday, he was better, making jokes. Sometimes laughter helps to forget, and focusing on your job can be therapeutic. I didn’t have an in-depth conversation with him. We were in touch, but I didn’t directly ask if he was ready to play. I trusted that if he wasn’t, he would have come to me and said so.”
The manager went on to praise Haaland’s ability to rise above personal challenges, calling him an “incredible weapon” for the team. “Teams that go one-on-one with him can struggle. If he isolates a center-back, combined with the quality of Ederson and Stefan [Ortega] launching long balls, he’s a player we need to use. The best way to help him? Just let him forget everything for 93 minutes and play.”
Guardiola’s insights reveal the delicate balance between supporting a player through personal grief while also relying on their professional commitment to the team.
